Sept. 9, 2014
As we kick off another year of Michigan Athletics, we wanted to know -- what do University of Michigan student-athletes value most? Together with the Office of Student-Athlete Alumni Engagement, MGoBlue.com surveyed current and former student-athletes and asked them for their direct input. Starting on Monday (Sept. 1), MGoBlue.com will release the 10 most important values, with one being highlighted each weekday through Friday, Sept. 12. Join in the conversation on Twitter using #MyMichigan.
Tuesday, Sept. 9 -- Leadership and Personal Growth
Everything we do at Michigan Athletics is about the student-athletes and their development as a students, athletes and community representatives. By the time they leave, our student-athletes are armed with the tools to succeed in their post-college careers and to change the world for the better. This is what the University of Michigan does -- it molds the leaders of tomorrow.
The four short years you spend at college may only be a tiny fraction of the life you have ahead of you, but those years may be more important than any other. So many experiences are packed within a relatively short time frame that
it's impossible to not undergo personal growth. Michigan prides itself on having its student-athletes leave as better people. So far I don't see how that can't be true. The leadership skills and teamwork are invaluable lessons that will continue to serve for a lifetime.
Michigan acknowledges the leader in everyone by encouraging athletes on each team to focus in on those ways in which they lead best and then using that individual skill to contribute to the success of the team. Everyone has something to offer and Michigan invests time and effort into finding -- in each person -- what that is and how they can use it. This is a skill that transcends athletics and
prepares men and women for successful lives beyond their time at Michigan.
Regan Anderson
Women's Lacrosse // Sophomore
My education in the classroom was
equally supplemented by the life lessons learned as a student-athlete while proudly wearing the block M as the captain of my team. The ability to overcome adversity, manage the stress and workload that's demanded as an engineering student, and master extreme time management challenges are but a few examples of leadership and personal growth development that have allowed me to achieve success as a working mother while leading a global industrial business to be best-in-class.
Mary Petrovich
Softball // 1982-85
I walked on to the football team in the spring of 2009 as an unproven leader and football player. Here, I was afforded the
opportunity to interact with and learn from many great personalities, both on and off the field. Through these relationships I learned the value of selflessness, accountability, respect and many other leadership qualities that carried me from the freshman walk-on to an eventual captain of Team 133.
Jordan Kovacs
Football // 2009-12
Being a student-athlete at Michigan meant you rose to every occasion, led by our hard work, dedication, grit and our "fire-in-the-belly, leave-everything-on-the-field" attitude! It meant being the first one on the field for the practice and the last one to leave. It meant going above and beyond what you are asked to do and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, because at the end of the day,
you can only grow individually and together with the proper leadership.
April Bertin
Field Hockey // 2000-03
In my time here, I have been able to
develop my leadership skills on and off the basketball court thanks to all of the amazing leaders around me that I have had the chance to learn from. This experience is going to be so valuable to carry with me as I pursue my career after athletics.
Nicole Elmblad
Women's Basketball // Senior
Learning how to lead pushes your character and comfort zone to levels you would have never imagined. Effective leadership is about setting the example, helping others, confronting necessary issues, bringing the team closer and staying positive no matter what.
Leadership and personal growth go hand in hand, and all of these qualities you learn as a leader prepare you to successfully lead others and yourself in any circumstance.
Shaun Bernstein
Men's Tennis // 2011-14
After you graduate, you may not be able to take Ann Arbor with you, as much as you wish you could! But two things you will always have with you, formed from your experiences there, are the leadership and personal growth you gain.
These will help you in every aspect of your life, in anything you want to accomplish.
Denise Muresan
Women's Tennis // 2008-11
• Day 1: Training
• Day 2: Competition
• Day 3: Facilities
• Day 4: Winning
• Day 5: Community Service
• Day 6: Unique Experiences
